Intel just emailed me to clarify a point from its Ivy Bridge presentation on Tuesday. While USB 3.0 will finally be integrated into the chipset, Thunderbolt will not. Intel clarified that the interface will be featured on some 2012 platforms but it wouldn’t be on all and it won’t be integrated into the chipset.

I don’t think it’s fair to say Apple is dictating here. It’s a Joint-Venture and Intel controls the licensing, much of the Intellectual Property – and the TBolt chipset manufacturing. I’m no conspiracy theorist – but on some level Intel and Apple have ‘colluded’ (for lack of a better word) to make damn sure ThunderBolt got a toehold BEFORE either will throw their weight behind mass-adoption USB3.Per-port licensing fees for TBolt is far more lucrative than USB. They simply realized that they could CONTROL the market, significantly DELAY widespread adoption of USB 3.0 by their mere passivity – and will eventually make millions from both. Were EXCLUSIVITY and First-Rights agreements signed? Most likely – and that took BOTH Apple and Intel working in tandem to execute.So far, I’d say their strategy has been quite effective for their interests – and the consumer will just have to wait….